Seminars in Bossey will provide opportunities of ecumenical formation

December 30, 2013

World Council of Churches

GENEVA

During 2014 the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey will be holding a number of seminars raising awareness on issues related to women’s concerns, justice and peace, ecology and Christian theology, interfaith relations and migrant churches.

Through lectures, group discussion and experts in the respective fields of study, participants will be equipped to address issues significant for churches and faith communities.

The seminars, held at different times throughout the year, are open to international participants representing a wide spectrum of confessional, cultural and regional backgrounds. Each seminar will be limited to 30 participants.

Application forms are now available online. The deadline for applications is three months before the start of each seminar. Partial scholarships will be available for qualifying candidates.

The Ecumenical Institute of Bossey in Switzerland, which is a project of the World Council of Churches, has provided opportunities for ecumenical formation through varied academic programmes since 1946. The institute is academically affiliated with the University of Geneva.

The 2014 seminars explore a variety of themes important to the ecumenical movement and churches today.

Women’s Pilgrimage towards Justice and Peace will be held June 9-13 June and will provide a space for dialogue on how men and women can contribute towards building peaceful communities.

This seminar will add to the efforts of women contributing towards an “ecumenical pilgrimage of justice and peace” consistent with a call from the WCC’s recent assembly in Busan, Republic of Korea.

Green Churches: Ecology, Theology and Justice in Practice, will be held June 23-27 and explore the responsibility of the global community in addressing the ecological crisis and preservation of the creation.

The discussions and activities at the seminar will explore links between ecology, theology and justice, encouraging churches to develop ethical responses towards a sustainable world.

Now in its eighth year, Building an Interfaith Community is a residential course which brings together participants from Christian, Muslim and Jewish faith, traditions, aged between 18-35, to promote inter-religious respect and cooperation. This seminar will be held Aug. 4-22.

Through interfaith encounters the participants will challenge religious stereotypes and enhance understanding how conflicts can be resolved to build mutually accountable societies.

A seminar called Evaluating Ecumenical Formation for Migrant Church Leaders will discuss how ecumenical formation can be promoted for leaders of migrant churches, visibly influencing the landscapes of Christianity. This seminar will be held from Sept. 1-5.